Heightened heat ups Delhi's power demand

Delhi registered its highest power demand this season with a high of 44.5»C and a new record of 46.2»C being recorded at the Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) Palam observation centre. According to sources, 4,949 mw electricity was drawn from the capital's grids, the peak demand this season.

According to Delhi Transco (DTL), the demand peaked at 3.08 pm but had decreased to 3,788 mw by the evening. While discoms claimed to have been prepared and met the demand, residents from across the capital reported long-drawn power cuts. Minor outages were also reported from areas such as Dilshad Colony, Seelampur and Welcome Colony in East Delhi.

Sources said a snag in the 220-KV Badarpur-Ghazipur line had caused a cut of 50 MW of supply in the area. A DTL official said that usually there is a 20 per cent shortfall between demand and supply.

This difference was around 1,400 MW on Tuesday. This kind of situation puts an extra burden on the power companies.